Hyde: Even Dolphins can't know what they have in Brian Flores | Commentary

Sun Sentinel's Omar Kelly and Dave Hyde discuss what's next for the Miami Dolphins as they head into the offseason without a head coach and lots of questions.

Well, it’s kind of official. The Dolphins made their choice. They chose the hot, new, young name with a defensive background instead of some hot, new, young name with an offensive background.

What else can you say about New England Patriots defensive play-caller/linebackers coach Brian Flores?

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No, seriously: What can anyone say about the soon-to-be Dolphins coach at this introductory point to get excited, considering his unproven talent in a franchise with bigger issues?

All eight NFL teams hiring a new coach think they’ll find the next, great football mind. But that’s wishful thinking. The Dolphins can’t know what they have in Flores any more than they did Adam Gase three years ago or Joe Philbin before that. They can’t even make this move official until the Patriots are out of the playoffs.

Flores earned respect for his defensive work with New England in a way that made Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and owner Steve Ross notice.

Maybe some of the Patriots’ magic comes with Flores. Maybe he is the next, great football mind full with strategy, motivation, surprise and, let’s hope, a dash of humor.

First question: What happened to your Patriots defense on the Miami Miracle, that double-lateral pass, catch and run for a winning touchdown on the final play against New England last month?

That play stings Flores twice now. He lost that game with the Patriots. And now with the Dolphins, that play caused his draft pick to fall from a would-be eighth to 13th overall. Ouch. And double-ouch.

Not that anyone blamed Flores for that play. All the public blame went to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. That shows the umbrella that Flores operated under in New England, for better and worse.

Better, because it’s always good to learn from a top mind. Worse, because who knows exactly what Flores did? And how much he mattered? And just what he brings now to the Dolphins?

New England quarterback Tom Brady isn’t coming through the door with Flores. He’ll quickly see the difference. Flores was the Patriots de facto defensive coordinator for a year. They were seventh in points allowed during the regular season. That’s nice, right?

Dolphins fans aren’t overly impressed. That’s understandable, too. They can wish the new guy all the best without forgetting how they wished the best for Gase, Philbin, Tony Sparano, Cam Cameron, Nick Saban and Dave Wannstedt in the past two decades.

What new coach would have impressed you?

It’s a short list. Either Harbaugh, Jim or John. But neither is moving teams this offseason. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney would have. He’s the hottest name in football in the past five years. The Dolphins surely called, right?

The only good and proven head coach among the eight new NFL hires is Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians. He wasn’t a fit for the Dolphins. He doesn’t want a rebuilding job where he’s the third-most important figure in the franchise.

Second, there’s Grier’s biggest decision, the quarterback, who isn’t yet on the roster. And might not be next season.

That’s the real issue about Flores. Not why a defensive coach was chosen with so many offensive questions (that just puts greater focus on his offensive staff). Not if a first-time coach can succeed (six of the eight remaining playoff coaches are on their first team).

With no quarterback, how much time does he get? In our microwave society, NFL coaches usually are only given a few years to succeed. The Dolphins no doubt promised to be patient. You and I do, too. But check back in a few years. We’ll see.

The Dolphins haven’t had a leader, a real leader who set a culture, since Sparano left. Nor have they been developing enough players of late, especially with their reliance on 30-year-olds last year.

He’d also be one of the two defensive hires in a league that has a serious offensive bias (Denver’s Vic Fangio is the other).

Impressed by Flores? Maybe not. And that’s fine. But they aren’t in Arizona (Kliff Kingsbury), Green Bay (Matt LaFleur) or with the New York Jets (Gase), either.

Dolphins fans have been through this process enough to know it doesn’t matter if you’re impressed or not right now. Part of you should congratulate Flores, considering the career accomplishment of his first NFL job.

Part of you should feel for him, too, considering the rebuilding project ahead.